May 11, 2017
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Moscow, Russia
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Leaders in the Euro-Asia Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a church region that includes the Russian Federation, released an official statement last week, as they try to counter false news circulating about the status of the church in that country. The statement, signed by the church regional president M. F. Kaminsky, and public affairs and religious liberty director O. Y. Goncharov seeks to allay fears after misinformation circulating online stated that the Seventh-day Adventist Church was about to be banned from that nation.
Below is the official statement released by the regional Adventist leaders.
Official Statement Regarding Misinformation on the Activity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Russian Federation
In light of the information that has been published on the Internet on the plans for placing a ban on the activity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Russia, we officially notify that any such information received from unofficial sources is not consistent with the reality.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Russian Federation is a community-focused denomination, with more than 130 years of service in this territory; a fellowship of law-abiding believers, who are striving, in their life and ministry, to make positive impact on the surrounding society.
In recent years, the Church has built, in the spirit of mutual respect, a constructive dialogue with state authorities that allows opening new possibilities to utilize the resources of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for supplying the needs of society. Indeed, the program “The Health of Family the Health of Nation” aimed at preventing life-style related diseases is being implemented by using a public grant pursuant to the ordinance of the President of the Russian Federation. This attests to the fact that the Church’s participation in public life is well regarded by state authorities.
In view of this, we again solemnly declare that there is no reason to believe that any justified or sensible reason exist for restricting or banning the activity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Russian Federation.
M.F. Kaminsky
President of the Euro-Asia Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
O.Yu. Goncharov
Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director,
Euro-Asia Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Member of the Advisory Council for Cooperation with Religious Associations
Under the President of the Russian Federation
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